Over the past few years, we’ve been developing and expanding our reach into the world of making, by offering both programs and resources.
What exactly is making? Well, we actually helped craft a formal definition for it for library staff across the nation. But the short answer is pretty simple: it is the process of being willing to get your hands dirty and learn while you create whatever you want to make to accomplish a task or just have fun. Do you cook? Do you craft? Do you invent? Do you build? Do you fix things? You are a maker!
In fact, some are even talking about making as at the core of a new type of literacy: invention literacy (i.e., the ability to look around you and figure out how human-made things work). Like any type of literacy, you can never be too old or too young to start your making journey and nurturing the growth mindset on which all making depends. You also can never have enough tools in the forms of books to get your creative juices flowing.
So, this year we plan to highlight all of the various making resources we have–which range from needlework to Legos to more. October is all about woodworking!
If you want beginner-level instruction:
Wood Work: A Step-by-Step Photographic Guide to Successful Woodworking (2010)
If you’d like a clear introduction to the fundamentals of woodworking, try this book. It focuses on the fundamentals of woodworking, with lots of pictures. There is a strong emphasis on using traditional hand tools.
Taunton’s Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking (2005)
Geared for beginners, this isn’t a book so much as a compilation of 6 other books that cover introductory woodworking skills and knowledge. The original titles combined here include general woodworking, tools, joinery, shaping wood, finishing, and more. The discussion is not in-depth, but the result is good general coverage of the basics.
If you need more specialized instruction:
Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk’s Furniture You Can Build: Projects that Hone Your Skills (2006)
This is a practical book that is geared toward people who already have an intermediate skill level and some experience with woodworking. If that sounds like you, this book covers creating furniture essentials like beds, bookcases, breakfast tables, and computer desks.
Robert W. Lang’s Furniture Fundamentals series (2014)
This series also covers the ins and outs of making furniture. Each book in the series has a different focus, with one focusing on chairs and benches and the other on tables. They’re a good way to do a research deep dive on very specific forms of furniture you’re interested in making.
Doug Stowe’s Rustic Furniture Basics (2009)
Doug Stowe is a highly experienced woodworker who’s also one of our local authors. In this book, he teaches readers how to use branches, logs, and recycled or scavenged lumber and wood to create rustic-style chests, coffee tables, and chairs.
Doug Stowe’s Basic Box Making (2007)
Another of our woodworking books by local author Doug Stowe, this one is all about the process of making your own boxes. The projects are arranged from easy to difficult, and the book features precise dimensions and ample photographs to help you along the way.
If you prefer a guide to projects:
Richard Freudenberger’s Woodworking Projects for the Garden: 40 Fun & Useful Things for Folks who Garden (1995)
If you’re comfortable with your woodworking knowledge and are just looking for inspiration for your next project, this book should give you plenty of ideas. It features straightforward directions for a range of wood projects for both the garden and outdoors. They cover everything from the relatively small and simple, like bird feeders and sun dials, to the larger and more complicated, such as picnic tables and gazebos.
Do you love woodworking? Interested in learning to build furniture? Tell us in the comments! As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog for more information on any of these items or to place them on hold.
Berryville Book Buzz 